Aug 24, 2009 4:45 pm US/Eastern
State H1N1 Hot Line Re-Opens For Questions
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ―
-
-
A sign warning about the H1N1 flu at CU in Boulder.
CBS
The Florida Department of Health has launched a toll-free hot line to answer questions and provide information and updates on the H1N1 flu strain, commonly referred to as "swine flu."
The state operated a similar hotline when swine flu first started showing up in Florida earlier this year. Operators at this call center will be available twelve hours a day, seven days a week. They'll able to provide basic information or direct you to the right place that can provide you with more answers.
Florida Department of Health Spokeswoman Susan Smith explained, "[You] could ask any question from A to Z, any topic within Swine Flu that one could think of where they may have a need for an answer, whether it be, 'What is the symptoms of swine flu?' or, 'What can I do to protect my family?', 'What are some good hygiene practices that I could adhere to help slow the virus?'"
Health officials say they are trying to be proactive as Florida gets ready to head in to what appears to be a very busy flu season.
With the school seasons starting again, concern about possible outbreaks are rising. The Florida School Boards Association says many local districts are planning for the possibility of absentee rates of up to 30 percent among students.
State health and local school officials are emphasizing a message of prevention and urging parents to keep their children at home if they become sick.
The hotline will be operated from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole.
You can reach the
Florida Flu Information Line toll free at:
1-877-352-3581.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Choosing The Healthier Fast Food
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
